Space Race
by Grace Kinder
Space Race
The space race was the 20th century rivalry for supremacy in spacecraft capability between the Soviet Union and the United States
I Find Your Lack Of Faith... Disturbing
The competition began on August 2,1955, when the Soviet Union responded to an announcement from the US saying they intended to launch artificial satellites for the International Geophysical Year, by declaring they would also launch a satellite in the near future. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union beat the US to launching the first satellite by launching Sputnik 1. They also beat the US to the first human in space on April 12, 1961.
Fear Is the Path To The Dark Side
Since the US found out that Russia could launch satellites what was stopping them from launching nuclear weapons from space. This fear was a driving force to propell the US into advancements in space technology and education so they could be as skilled as the Soviets.
When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.
The Space Race peaked with the July 20, 1969 US taking a giant leap by landing of the first humans on the Moon with Apollo 11. The USSR tried but failed manned lunar missions, and eventually cancelled them and concentrated on Earth orbital space stations.
There's Always A Bigger Fish
The Space Race has left a legacy of Earth communications and weather satellites, and continuing human space presence on the International Space Station. It has also sparked increases in spending on education and research and development, which led to beneficial spin-off technologies.